Letter: Don't ignore pleas of children

Lately, the problem of domestic violence against children has been addressed by the media, but I wonder how much it has helped.

Children who endure domestic violence have increased behavioral, social and emotional problems, as well as higher levels of adult depression.

Today’s children are instructed to tell an adult they are being abused. We tell them if that person won’t listen or believe them, keep on until they find someone who will listen. What happens when the person who refuses to listen is someone who should be trusted to listen more than anyone else — grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.?

Too often, when a child tells a grandparent or other close relative, they do not listen to what the child has to say — or perhaps they hear of the abuse from another person, and just can’t believe their son or brother would do such a thing.

Too often, when they ask the child’s parent, he or she will accuse the child of spreading lies and say the child should not be trusted.

Ask yourself — what is the likelihood an abusive parent will admit to abusing his or her child?

When a child tells you they are being beaten or having food withheld from them as punishment, don’t just ignore them — check it out.

Don’t be an enabler for a child abuser by ignoring the pleas of abused children.

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You are required by Texas law to report child abuse to CPS or Law Enforcement (they share reports) even if you only suspect child abuse. You are immune to civil suit unless you are malicious. Failure to report child abuse is a crime.
The Bridge, http://www.bridgecac.org/, has helped a great many children and their families in this area. Please support their work and inform yourself about child abuse. They are great folks doing a tremendous job.
Anyone who can turn their back on the physical, sexual, or psychological of children, who are defenseless, is a sorry excuse for a human being. Volunteer at The Bridge or CASA. See the reality of child abuse and what your community is doing about it.

James Madison, "Father of the Constitution" and chief author (1794): ""I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents."

I think maybe y is right, Mr. Henry. You got a thumbs down just for saying it’s curious. That’s one of the things that bothers me about our country at the present time. Ideas aren’t as important as WHO has them. Americans agree on much more than they disagree on. Our politicians don’t just disagree. They paint anyone who disagrees as anti-American, fools, or just plain evil. If I support The Bridge, one of the first child advocacy centers in Texas, people who have done so much to protect our children, I get thumbs down because of totally unrelated opinions I hold? Reason doesn’t matter anymore? It’s all personal attacks?
What do you think, y? Anything I say is wrong because of WHO I am rather than what I say? Would we have a free country if the founding fathers thought that way?
Mostly I just ask questions because I’m curious…like Mr. Henry. You are always asking for facts, y. Dispute my facts. At least, offer a dissenting opinion. It doesn’t HAVE to be personal.

Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because if there be one he must approve of the homage of reason more than that of blindfolded fear. Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Peter Carr, August 10, 1787